Incorporating multiple authentication systems and protocols in conjunction

ABSTRACT

Embodiments of the disclosure provide a method of incorporating multiple authentication systems and protocols. The types of authentication systems and protocols can vary based on desired assurance levels. A Centralized Authentication System together with an authentication policy dictates acceptable authentication systems. Authorization data for each authorization system are captured and packaged into a single Object Data Structure. The authorization data can be compared to data stored in an identity store for authentication. The authorization data can also be used for user and device registration and for transferring an authentication or registration token from a previously authenticated and registered device to a new device.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/333,499, filed May 9, 2016, which is incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

Consumers access websites to review numerous types of information and utilize various types of services. For example, consumers may log into a health care organization website in order to view available products, apply for products, or utilize one of many services offered by the health care organization. Increasingly, consumers not only access these and other websites with personal computers, but also access internet-based applications using smart phones and other electronic devices. In order to provide data security for sensitive information, websites must employ a secure authentication system that can accommodate a range of consumer electronic devices.

Registration, authentication, and de-registration are three parts of the majority of authentication systems. Generally, these three parts become more cumbersome for consumers as the desired security level increases. However, increased security is not necessary for every consumer or application, although websites generally employ authentication systems.

BRIEF SUMMARY

Embodiments of the disclosure provide a method of incorporating multiple authentication systems and protocols. The types of authentication systems and protocols can vary based on desired assurance levels. A Centralized Authentication System together with an authentication policy may dictate acceptable authentication systems. Authorization data for each authorization system may be captured and packaged into a single Object Data Structure. The authorization data can be compared to data stored in an identity store for authentication. The authorization data may also be used for user and user device registration and for transferring an authentication or registration token from a previously authenticated and registered user device to a new user device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in even greater detail below based on the exemplary figures. The invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments. All features described and/or illustrated herein can be used alone or combined in different combinations in embodiments of the invention. The features and advantages of various embodiments of the present invention will become apparent by reading the following detailed description with reference to the attached drawings which illustrate the following:

FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a network architecture, in accordance with a first exemplary embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 2 schematically illustrates a network architecture, in accordance with a second exemplary embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 3 schematically illustrates a network architecture, in accordance with a third exemplary embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 4 illustrates an Object Data Structure, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 5 illustrates a flowchart showing registration of a user and user device, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 6 illustrates a flowchart showing registration of a user and user device, in accordance with the first and the second exemplary embodiments of the disclosure;

FIG. 7 illustrates a flowchart showing registration of a user and user device, in accordance with the third exemplary embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing transfer of registration from an already registered user device to a new user device, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing authentication of a user and user device, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing authentication of a user and user device, in accordance with the first exemplary embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing authentication of a user and user device, in accordance with the second exemplary embodiment of the disclosure; and

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing authentication of a user and user device, in accordance with the third exemplary embodiment of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the disclosure describe a method and system for incorporating multiple authentication systems and protocols in conjunction. The system allows one or more authentication systems to be utilized as a means for a client to be authenticated based on a desired assurance level. Authentication can be on either the server side or user device side.

FIGS. 1, 2, and 3 illustrate exemplary embodiments of network architectures for providing user device and user authentications. Network architecture embodiments may include a user device 100, a Centralized Authentication System 300, a first Authentication system 400 (Authentication System 1), a second Authentication system 500 (Authentication System 2), and a Database Server 600. An embodiment of the network architecture may further comprise an API/Resource server 201 and an Authorization Server 202. Another embodiment of the network architecture may furtherer comprise an API Manager 200.

The Centralized Authentication System, which communicates with the authentication systems, such as Authentication System 1 and Authentication System 2. Each of these systems communicates with the Database Server to validate the authentication data provided from the user device. Based on this validation, the user device may or may not be authorized to access the application.

In certain embodiments, the authentication policy varies based on the application the user is requesting access to. Successful authentication allows access to the application via the user device.

It will be understood by a person of skill in the art that FIGS. 1, 2, and 3 are exemplary embodiments of an environment in which the method is used. For example, FIGS. 1, 2, and 3 show embodiments with a separate server for each authentication system (Authentication System 1 and Authentication System 2), but in another embodiment a single server may combine several authentication systems. Accordingly, the illustrations of FIGS. 1, 2, and 3 are not meant to limit the types of network architecture in which the method can be used.

FIG. 4 shows an exemplary embodiment of the Object Data Structure used to store user and device data pertaining to multiple authentication systems. Such an Object Data Structure may utilized in any of the Network Architectures of FIGS. 1, 2, and 3. The Object Data Structure typically includes at least three general types of information. The first type of information is the Data Object Header, which contains information pertaining to the network architecture, version numbers, and/or any other information useful to achieve the object of the method. The second type of information in the Object Data Structure is the User Information. The User Information contains information specific to a user, such as a user name or user ID. The information can be specific to the type of organization or application. The third type of information the Object Data Structure contains pertains to user and user device authentication systems.

In certain embodiments, the Object Data structure is organized in an extensible format. As such, any number of authentication systems can be supported by the Object Data Structure based on how the system is being utilized.

In an embodiment, a header and authentication data are provided for each authentication system. The header contains data that identifies the type of a particular authentication system. The authentication data contains data for verifying the user or user device. For example, the header may specify that the authentication system employs password authentication, and the authentication data specifies the user's password. In an embodiment, the Object Data Structure contains a set of header and authentication data for each user authentication system and for each user device authentication system.

In one embodiment, the Object Data Structure is stored in computer readable memory of the user device. The Object Data Structure can then be intermittently updated on the user device. For example, software on the user device side may automatically update the stored Object Data Structure after certain time periods and/or after certain user behavior. In another embodiment, the Object Data Structure is created if certain conditions are met. For example, the Object Data Structure can be automatically generated when the user seeks authorization from the Authorization Server or shortly before.

The invention is not limited to any specific authentication system or any combination of authentication systems. For example, authentication systems may be based on voice recognition, facial recognition, biometrics including fingerprint and retinal scanners, universal serial bus (USB) security tokens, near field communication (NFC), Fast Identity Online (FIDO) Alliance specifications, and so forth. It will be understood by a person of skill in the art, that an authentication system is not limited to any particular mechanism. For example, in an embodiment, one authentication system may simply capture general information pertaining to the user device's geographical location. Embodiments may vary authentication systems according to the desired assurance level and logistics of the network architecture.

Not every authentication system supported in the Object Data Structure have to be used for each user authentication attempt. For instance, a particular user device being utilized to authenticate a user may only be able to provide inputs satisfying a subset of the authentication system data stored in the Object Data Structure. In this situation, the system may allow authorization of the user based on receiving positive input regarding only the subset of authentication system data. In this regard, the Object Data Structure allows the system to select authentication systems to use for the authorization attempt based on what authentication systems are supported by the user device the user is attempting to gain access over.

The authentication systems may be selected or removed in a modular fashion. Typically, the authentication systems are added or removed at the enterprise level. This allows the Centralized Authentication System to remove authentication systems with data stored in the Object Data Structure that are no longer useful for authenticating a user. To know when certain data is no longer useful, the Centralized Authentication System may keep data collected from the user device regarding a usage rate of the authentication system and a failure rate of a particular authentication system.

Regarding the usage rate data, the Centralized Authentication System can determine whether a particular authentication system is not being used or is redundant by looking for authentication systems with low usage. These low usage authentication systems can then be optionally removed from the system. Additionally, by reviewing the usage rate data coupled with a cost for the authentication system, a determination of a cost per authentication transaction can be made. The cost per authentication data can be used to determine whether a particular authentication system is high cost, and if so, can that high cost be mitigated by migrating certain authentication requests to a different lower cost authentication system. Cost, as discussed in the context of usage rate data, may include one or more of a financial cost, a computational or resource cost, and/or any other type of system constraint resulting from the use of a particular authentication system.

By reviewing the failure rate data, the Centralized Authentication System can determine whether one particular authentication system is either not working or not useful. This determination is used to decide whether to remove the non-working authentication system. For example, fingerprint readers are generally required if fingerprint data is to be used for authentication. However, not all fingerprint readers are of the same quality. Accordingly, fingerprint readers that do not provide a reading of a quality high enough for the system to be confident in the reading can be removed.

Additionally, the data stored in the Object Data Structure can be updated in order to overcome problems with attribute change of the authentication data. Attribute change is monitored against an attribute score that shows a confidence in that attribute. Once the change when compared with the score reflects that confidence in the authentication system is too low, then the attribute data required for a particular authentication system is collected again, i.e., reenrollment.

A score may be set by the authentication system, where the score represents a minimum confidence that the authentication system can achieve and still authorize a user. Accordingly, when the attribute data of the authentication system drops below the score, then the data will need to be collected again such that the authentication system can be used again. Prior to the data being collected, the particular affected authentication system may not be utilized.

Examples of attribute change may include a user's residence or fingerprint data. If a user moves to a new residence, location data used to provide an indication of authentication can be updated to reflect the user's new residence. Another example would be a changed fingerprint. A user's fingerprint may change over time due to injury, and as a result, the user may choose to register a fingerprint from a different finger for future authentication. Accordingly, the fingerprint data stored will be updated over time to reflect any changes such that the fingerprint data collected at the time of authentication reflects a high confidence that the user is who they say they are.

In certain embodiments, the Object Data Structure will store data specific to how a user uses a particular user device. For instance, the Object Data Structure may store locations where the user uses a particular user device. The Object Data Structure may also store data related to how fast a user walks, where the user travels while using a particular user device, or swipe patterns for a user device with a touch sensitive display. This user specific data is then utilized by the system to verify a user such that a re-authentication does not have to take place once the user has been previously authenticated during a session.

FIG. 5 provides a flowchart showing how the Object Data Structure can be used for registration of a user and/or user device. A registration policy dictates the conditions necessary to register a user and/or user device. In an embodiment, the registration policy is specific to an application, and user registration is specific to an organization or application.

When a user seeks registration, the Centralized Authentication System calls the Capture Data Protocol and attempts to retrieve information within the Object Data Structure associated with the user. The amount and type of information can vary based on the desired level of assurance or authentication system. The Centralized Authentication System examines the User Info in the Object Data Structure and determines whether the user identified in the User Info is a new user in an Identity Store.

If it is determined that the user is a new user in the Identity Store, the Centralized Authentication System proceeds to register the user and user device in the Identity Store. If it is determined that the user is not a new user in the Identity Store, the Centralized Authentication System registers and associates the user and user device with an existing identity in the Identity Store.

The embodiment of the method illustrated in FIG. 5 comprises the following steps. User registration/verification of user registration S1002. Application Specific Registration Policy S1003. Capture Data for device and user registration for different level of assurance or authentication systems S1004. Determining whether it is a new user in identity store S1005. If yes, register user and device in Identity Store S1006. If no, register user and device in Identity Store and tie (i.e., associated) with existing identity 51007.

When a user seeks registration, the embodiment of the method starts with a user registration process, or in the case that the user has been registered, verification of the user registration S1002. Then, an application specific registration policy is implemented S1003. To capture data for device and user registration, the Centralized Authentication System calls the Capture Data Protocol and attempts to retrieve information within the Object Data Structure associated with the user S1004. Then it is determined whether the user is a new user in the Identity Store S1005. If so, the user and device are registered in the Identity Store S1006. If not, then the user and device in the Identity Store are registered and tied (i.e., associated with) with an existing identity in the Identity Store 51007.

FIG. 9 provides a flowchart showing how the Object Data Structure can be used for authentication. When a user seeks authorization access to a particular application, the request is routed to the Centralized Authentication System and an authentication policy is used to validate the user's credentials. The authentication policy dictates what types of authentication systems are acceptable for a successful authentication and can vary based on the desired level of assurance.

FIG. 9 provides a flowchart showing how the Object Data Structure can be used for authentication according to an embodiment, which may be implemented in the network architectures shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3.

The embodiment illustrated in FIG. 9 starts with implementing the application specific authentication policy for the required level of assurance 52002. Then data for the device and user registration are captured for a different level of assurance S2003. Then it is determined whether the user and/or device authentication is validated 52004. If the user and/or user device authentication is not validated, an appropriate failure message is shown S2005. If the user and/or user device authentication is verified, then tokens for access are granted 52006.

The Centralized Authentication System calls the Capture Data Protocol and retrieves the Object Data Structure associated with the user seeking authorization. Then, the Centralized Authentication System examines the Object Data Structure. Depending on the Authentication policy and desired level of assurance, the Centralized Authentication System examines data for user authentication and/or user device authentication. In an embodiment, the Centralized Authentication System examines data for both user authentication and user device authentication.

The Centralized Authentication System examines the header and data for one or more authentication systems according to the authentication policy and desired level of assurance 52002. The Centralized Authentication System examines the Object Data Structure to determine user information and examines the headers of each set of user device and user authentication systems S2003. The Centralized Authentication System may analyze the Object Data Structure for only one authentication system, a pre-determined combination of authentication systems, several pre-determined combinations of authentication systems, or all authentication systems within the Object Data Structure. In an embodiment, the Centralized Authentication System calls a plurality of authentication servers to vet data of each authentication system in the Object Data Structure. Each authentication server will compare authentication system data to data stored in a corresponding Identity Store 52004.

If the Centralized Authentication System determines that authentication is successful, it grants a token with assurance levels based on various authentications performed and passes the successful authentication to the Authorization Server or API manager 52006. A token may be validated by a validation API or the signing of the token. If the Centralized Authentication System determines that authentication is not successful, an appropriate failure message is shown to the user S2005.

FIG. 8 provides a flowchart showing how the Object Data Structure can be used for passing user level registration information from a previously registered user device to a new user device, which can then be registered in the Identity Store and associated with the user.

As shown in FIG. 8, when a user requests a transfer S1301, the Centralized Authentication System generates a one-time use registration token on the previously-registered user device S1302 and transfers the one time registration token to the new user device 1303. The Centralized Authentication System calls the Capture Data Protocol and retrieves the Object Data Structure S1304. Depending on the desired level of assurance, the Centralized Authentication System may retrieve the Object Data Structure for only one authentication system, a pre-determined combination of authentication systems, several pre-determined combinations of authentication systems, or all authentication systems within the Object Data Structure. Finally, using the one time registration token with the Object Data Structure, the Centralized Authentication System proceeds to register the user and user device in the Identity Store and associates the user and user device with an existing identity in the Identity Store S1305.

EXAMPLE 1

A first exemplary embodiment demonstrates how the Object Data Structure shown in FIG. 4 may be used by a health insurance company for authentication. The insurance company may employ a network architecture as shown in FIG. 1, which allows consumers to access health insurance services.

FIG. 1 illustrates a network architecture for providing user device and user authentication according to a first exemplary embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, a user device requests authorization for access to an application. The authorization is communicated to an Authorization Server 202, which in turn communicates with the Centralized Authentication System 300 and an authentication policy to validate the user's credentials by utilizing a variety of authentication systems (Authentication System 1 (400) and Authentication System 2 (500)). The authentication policy defines an appropriate Identity Store and the types of authentication systems that are acceptable for a successful authentication.

In the first exemplary embodiment, the Identity Store and the data supporting the authentication policy along with user data pertinent to the authentication systems are stored in a Database Server 600. In the first exemplary embodiment, this data is accessed by each of Authentication System 1, Authentication System 2, the Centralized Authentication System, the Authorization Server and the API/Resource Server 201. Utilizing this data, the system can make determinations on user authorization to access certain applications and services. Successful authentication is passed to the Authorization Server to allow access to the application via the user device.

In the first exemplary embodiment, for registration, the user is identified as a member of the health insurance organization. Member identification may be associated with personally identifiable information (PII) data such as first name, last name, zip code, date of birth, and other data elements like SSN, but member identification information is not restricted to this combination. Identification verification may also be implemented using username password or any other established authentication mechanism.

A registration process according to the first exemplary embodiment is illustrated in FIG. 6. Organization or Application Specific User Registration or Existing User Authentication at same Level of Assurance S1102. Application Specific Registration Policy S1103. Capture Data for device and user registration for different level of assurance or authentication systems S1104. Determining whether it is a new user in identity store S1105. If yes, register user and device in Identity Store S1106. If no, register user and device in Identity Store and tie (i.e., associated) with existing identity S1107.

When a user seeks registration according to the first exemplary embodiment, the process starts with an organization or application specific user registration, or the provision of a user authentication at the level of assurance required by the organization or application/s user registration S1102. Then, an application specific registration policy is implemented S1103. To capture data for device and user registration, the Centralized Authentication System calls the Capture Data Protocol and attempts to retrieve information within the Object Data Structure associated with the user S1104. Then it is determined whether the user is a new user in the Identity Store S1105. If so, the user and device are registered in the Identity Store S1106. If not, then the user and device in the Identity Store are registered and tied (i.e., associated with) with an existing identity in the Identity Store S1107.

In the first exemplary embodiment, when a user device attempts authentication, the API/Resource Server receives API calls from the user device that is attempting the user authorization. In turn, the API/Resource Server determines what type of authentication system the user device is using to attempt authorization and pulls the relevant data from the Database Server. At the same time, the user device communicates with the Authorization Server in order to begin the authorization.

When the Authorization Server receives requests from consumers seeking access to an application containing sensitive information, and it grants or denies requests based on its authorization policy. The Authorization Server accesses the Centralized Authentication System, which communicates with the authentication systems, such as Authentication System 1 and Authentication System 2. Each of these systems communicates with the Database Server to validate the authentication data provided from the user device. Based on this validation, the user device may or may not be authorized to access the application.

The user device also communicates with the Authorization Sever during enrollment of the user device within the system. For instance, if one of the authentication systems used is password protection, when the user sets up access to the system initially, the password is provided from the user device to the Authorization Server, which in turn records the password and indicates that password protection is a known system for authenticating this user device. This process is repeated for each authentication system utilized to grant access to the user device according to the authentication policy.

When a user seeks access, the Authorization Server begins by verifying the user's identity. The Authorization Server routes the request to the Centralized Authentication System, which then begins the authentication process according to an authentication policy to validate the user's credentials.

FIG. 10 provides a flowchart showing how the Object Data Structure can be used for authentication according to a first exemplary embodiment, as implemented in the network architecture shown in FIG. 1.

The embodiment of the method illustrated in FIG. 10 comprises the following steps. Application specific Authentication Policy for required Level of Assurance S2102. Capture Data for device and user registration for different level of assurance S2103. Validate User/Device Authentication S2104. If User/Device Authentication validation is unsuccessful, Show appropriate failure message 2105. If User/Device Authentication validation is successful, Authorization Server grants tokens for access and ties it with universal device ID S2107.

When a user seeks authorization access to a particular application, the application's Authorization Server routes the request to the Centralized Authentication System and an authentication policy to validate the user's credentials. The authentication policy dictates what types of authentication systems are acceptable for a successful authentication and can vary based on the desired level of assurance S2102. The Centralized Authentication System examines the Object Data Structure to determine user information and examines the headers of each set of user device and user authentication systems S2103. The Centralized Authentication System may, for example, recognize three authentication systems that collectively satisfy a desired assurance level: (1) a password; (2) a geographic location of the user; and (3) a day of week. The Centralized Authentication System then routes the user device authentication system data of each authentication system to a corresponding authentication server, as illustrated in FIG. 1. Each authentication server compares the data to data stored in an Identity Store, and reports the results back to the Centralized Authentication System S2104. If each authentication server indicates a successful identification and satisfies the authentication policy, the Centralized Authentication Server grants a token and passes the successful authentication to the Authorization Server S2106. If any of the authentication serves fails to indicate a successful identification, thus failing the authentication policy, an appropriate failure message is displayed S2105.

EXAMPLE 2

In a second exemplary embodiment Centralized Authentication System 300 is exposed through API manager 200, as shown in FIG. 2, and the Centralized Authentication System grants tokens which can be validated. A token may be validated by a validation API or signing of the token. These tokens may be translated to other token formats such as OAuth, SiteMinder or may be used as is to provide access.

In the second exemplary embodiment, registration is performed as illustrated in FIG. 6, as described above.

In the second exemplary embodiment, authorization is performed as illustrated in FIG. 11. The embodiment of the method illustrated in FIG. 11 comprises the following steps. Application specific Authentication Policy for required Level of Assurance S2202. Capture Data for device and user registration for different level of assurance S2203. Validate User/Device Authentication S2204. If User/Device Authentication validation is unsuccessful, Show appropriate failure message 2205. If User/Device Authentication validation is successful, Centralized Authentication System generates a token which can be validated S2206.

When a user seeks authorization access to a particular application, the application's Authorization Server routes the request to the Centralized Authentication System and an authentication policy to validate the user's credentials. The authentication policy dictates what types of authentication systems are acceptable for a successful authentication and can vary based on the desired level of assurance S2202. The Centralized Authentication System examines the Object Data Structure to determine user information and examines the headers of each set of user device and user authentication systems S2203.

The Centralized Authentication System then routes the user device authentication system data of each authentication system to a corresponding authentication server, as illustrated in FIG. 2. Each authentication server compares the data to data stored in an Identity Store, and reports the results back to the Centralized Authentication System S2204. If each authentication server indicates a successful identification and satisfies the authentication policy, the Centralized Authentication Server grants a token which can be validated and may be translated into other token formats such as OAuth, SiteMinder or may be used as generated by the API Manager to provide access S2206. If any of the authentication serves fails to indicate a successful identification, thus failing the authentication policy, an appropriate failure message is displayed S2205.

Additional registrations may be implemented according to FIG. 8 as described previously.

EXAMPLE 3

In a third exemplary embodiment a third party can utilize a Centralized Authentication System based on subscription model. With third party utilization, trust must be established so that third party user identity can be trusted. This may be done using public key infrastructure (PKI). For example, in an embodiment, a third party signs a user identity with their private key which the Centralized Authentication System validates using the public key during registration.

FIG. 7 provides a flowchart showing how the Object Data Structure can be used for registration of a user and/or user device in a third exemplary embodiment. The embodiment of the method illustrated in FIG. 7 comprises the following steps. Trusted User Identity is Provided S1202. Application Specific Registration Policy S1203. Capture Data for device and user registration for different level of assurance or authentication systems S1204. Determining whether it is a new user in identity store S1205. If yes, register user and device in Identity Store S1206. If no, register user and device in Identity Store and tie (i.e., associated) with existing identity S1207.

When a user seeks registration, the embodiment of the method starts with the provision of a trusted user identity S1202. When PKI is used in the implementation of the third exemplary embodiment, a trusted user identity is a user identity signed by the private key of the third party. The user identity signed by the third party may be a user name, role, level of assurance, organization, or other form of user identification. Then, an application specific registration policy is implemented S1203. To capture data for device and user registration, the Centralized Authentication System calls the Capture Data Protocol and attempts to retrieve information within the Object Data Structure associated with the user S1204. Then it is determined whether the user is a new user in the Identity Store S1205. If so, the user and device are registered in the Identity Store S1206. If not, then the user and device in the Identity Store are registered and tied (i.e., associated with) with an existing identity in the Identity Store S1207.

FIG. 12 provides a flowchart showing how the Object Data Structure can be used for authentication according to a first exemplary embodiment, as implemented in the network architecture shown in FIG. 3.

The embodiment of the method illustrated in FIG. 12 comprises the following steps. Application specific Authentication Policy for required Level of Assurance S2302. Capture Data for device and user registration for different level of assurance S2303. Validate User/Device Authentication S2304. If User/Device Authentication validation is unsuccessful, Show appropriate failure message 2305. If User/Device Authentication validation is successful, Centralized Authentication System signs a token which can be validated S2306. Token embeds trusted user identity S2207.

When a user seeks authorization access to a particular application, the application's Authorization Server routes the request to the Centralized Authentication System and an authentication policy to validate the user's credentials. The authentication policy dictates what types of authentication systems are acceptable for a successful authentication and can vary based on the desired level of assurance S2302. The Centralized Authentication System examines the Object Data Structure to determine user information and examines the headers of each set of user device and user authentication systems S2303.

The Centralized Authentication System then routes the user device authentication system data of each authentication system to a corresponding authentication server, as illustrated in FIG. 3. Each authentication server compares the data to data stored in an Identity Store, and reports the results back to the Centralized Authentication System S2304. If each authentication server indicates a successful identification and satisfies the authentication policy, the Centralized Authentication Server signs a token, which can be validated and embeds the trusted user identify S2306. When PM is used in the implementation of the third exemplary embodiment, the Centralized Authentication System may sign a token with its private key, which may be validated by entities possessing the corresponding public key. If any of the authentication serves fails to indicate a successful identification, thus failing the authentication policy, an appropriate failure message is displayed S2305.

Additional registrations may be implemented according to FIG. 8 as described previously.

All references, including publications, patent applications, and patents, cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each reference were individually and specifically indicated to be incorporated by reference and were set forth in its entirety herein.

The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and “at least one” and similar referents in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The use of the term “at least one” followed by a list of one or more items (for example, “at least one of A and B”) is to be construed to mean one item selected from the listed items (A or B) or any combination of two or more of the listed items (A and B), unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and “containing” are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning “including, but not limited to,”) unless otherwise noted. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the invention.

Preferred embodiments of this invention are described herein, including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the invention. Variations of those preferred embodiments may become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. The inventors expect skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate and intend for the invention to be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, this invention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An authentication method, incorporating a combination of a plurality of authentication systems, comprising: determining, by a centralized authentication system, a desired level of assurance based on an application; determining, by the centralized authentication system, at least one acceptable authentication system according to the desired level of assurance; capturing, by the centralized authentication system, authentication data from a user device; comparing, by the centralized authentication system, the authentication data from the user device to data stored in a network server; and verifying, by the centralized authentication system, a user identity based on whether the authentication data from the user device matches the data stored in the network server pertaining to the at least one acceptable authentication system, wherein the data stored in the network server is stored as an individual object data structure comprising a data object header, an organization or application specific user identifier, and registered authentication data pertaining to a plurality of authentication systems, and wherein for each of the plurality of authentication systems, the registered authentication data comprises header information identifying a particular authentication system and registered data used for authentication by the particular authentication system.
 2. The authentication method of claim 1, wherein, after verifying, by the centralized authentication system, the user identity based on whether the data from the user device matches the data stored in the network server pertaining to the at least one acceptable authentication system, the method further comprises, when the user identity is verified by the centralized authentication system, granting, by an authorization server, a token granting access; and associating the token with a user device identity.
 3. The authentication method of claim 1, wherein, after verifying, by the centralized authentication system, the user identity based on whether the data from the user device matches the data stored in the network server pertaining to the at least one acceptable authentication system, the method further comprises when the user identity is verified by the centralized authentication system, granting, by the centralized authentication system, a token which can be validated.
 4. The authentication method of claim 3, wherein, after verifying, by the centralized authentication system, the user identity based on whether the data from the user device matches the data stored in the network server pertaining to the at least one acceptable authentication system, the method further comprises when the user identity is verified by the centralized authentication system, signing, by the centralized authentication system, a token which can be validated, wherein the trusted user identity is embedded in the token.
 5. A registration method incorporating multiple authentication systems, the method comprising, establishing, by a centralized authentication system, a user identity; determining, by a centralized authentication system, a desired level of assurance based on an application; determining, by the centralized authentication system, at least one acceptable authentication system according to the desired level of assurance; capturing, by the centralized authentication system, authentication data from a user device; comparing, by the centralized authentication system, the authentication data from the user device to data stored in a network server; and determining, by the centralized authentication system, whether the user identity and user device identity correspond to a new user based on whether the authentication data from the user device matches an existing user identity in the data stored in the network server; and when the user identity and user device identity correspond to a new user, registering the user identity and user device identity in the data stored in the network server; and when the user identity and user device identity do not correspond to a new user, registering the user identity and user device identity in the data stored in the network server, and associating the user identity and user device identity with the matching existing user identity in the data stored in the network server, wherein the data stored in the network server is stored as an individual object data structure comprising a data object header, an organization or application specific user identifier, and registered authentication data pertaining to a plurality of authentication systems, and wherein for each of the plurality of authentication systems, the registered authentication data comprises header information identifying a particular authentication system and registered data used for authentication by the particular authentication system.
 6. The registration method of claim 5, wherein the establishing, by the centralized authentication, the user identity comprises one of: registering, by the centralized authentication system, a user identity based a registration policy, wherein the registration policy is based on at least one of an application and an organization, and receiving, by the centralized authentication system, a user identity previously authenticated at the level of assurance required by the registration policy.
 7. The registration method of claim 5, wherein the establishing, by the centralized authentication system, the user identity comprises: obtaining, from a third party platform, a trusted user identity.
 8. The registration method of claim 5, wherein when a registered user with a registered user identity in the data stored in the network server requests a transfer to a new user device, the method further comprises: generating, by the centralized authentication system, a one-time use registration token on a previously-registered user device; transferring the one time registration token to the new user device; capturing, by the centralized authentication system, authentication data from the new user device, wherein the authentication data comprises a user identity and user device identity of the new user device; and registering, by the centralized authentication system, the user identity and user device identity of the new user device in the data stored in the network server, and associating the user identity and the user device identity of the new user device with the registered user identity in the data stored in the network server.
 9. A centralized authentication system apparatus comprising a processor; and a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium including computer-executable instructions executed by the processor to perform operations comprising: determining a desired level of assurance based on an application; determining at least one acceptable authentication system according to the desired level of assurance; capturing authentication data from a user device; comparing the authentication data from the user device to data stored in a network server; and verifying a user identity based on whether the authentication data from the user device matches the data stored in the network server pertaining to the at least one acceptable authentication system, wherein the data stored in the network server is stored as an individual object data structure comprising a data object header, an organization or application specific user identifier, and registered authentication data pertaining to a plurality of authentication systems, and wherein for each of the plurality of authentication systems, the registered authentication data comprises header information identifying a particular authentication system and registered data used for authentication by the particular authentication system.
 10. The centralized authentication system apparatus of claim 9, wherein, after verifying the user identity based on whether the data from the user device matches the data stored in the network server pertaining to the at least one acceptable authentication system, the operations further comprise, when the user identity is verified, granting, by an authorization server, a token granting access; and associating the token with a user device identity.
 11. The centralized authentication system apparatus of claim 9, wherein, after verifying the user identity based on whether the data from the user device matches the data stored in the network server pertaining to the at least one acceptable authentication system, the operations further comprise when the user identity is verified, granting a token which can be validated.
 12. The centralized authentication system apparatus of claim 11, wherein, after verifying the user identity based on whether the data from the user device matches the data stored in the network server pertaining to the at least one acceptable authentication system, the operations further comprise when the user identity is verified, signing a token which can be validated, wherein the trusted user identity is embedded in the token.
 13. A centralized authentication system apparatus comprising a processor; and a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium including computer-executable instructions executed by the processor to perform operations comprising: establishing a user identity; determining a desired level of assurance based on an application; determining at least one acceptable authentication system according to the desired level of assurance; capturing authentication data from a user device; comparing the authentication data from the user device to data stored in a network server; and determining whether the user identity and user device identity correspond to a new user based on whether the authentication data from the user device matches an existing user identity in the data stored in the network server; and when the user identity and user device identity correspond to a new user, registering the user identity and user device identity in the data stored in the network server; and when the user identity and user device identity do not correspond to a new user, registering the user identity and user device identity in the data stored in the network server, and associating the user identity and user device identity with the matching existing user identity in the data stored in the network server, wherein the data stored in the network server is stored as an individual object data structure comprising a data object header, an organization or application specific user identifier, and registered authentication data pertaining to a plurality of authentication systems, and wherein for each of the plurality of authentication systems, the registered authentication data comprises header information identifying a particular authentication system and registered data used for authentication by the particular authentication system.
 14. The centralized authentication system apparatus of claim 13, wherein the establishing the user identity comprises one of: registering a user identity based a registration policy, wherein the registration policy is based on at least one of an application and an organization, and receiving a user identity previously authenticated at the level of assurance required by the registration policy.
 15. The centralized authentication system apparatus of claim 13, wherein the establishing the user identity comprises: obtaining, from a third party platform, a trusted user identity.
 16. The centralized authentication system apparatus of claim 13, wherein when a registered user with a registered user identity in the data stored in the network server requests a transfer to a new user device, the operations further comprise: generating a one-time use registration token on a previously-registered user device; transferring the one time registration token to the new user device; capturing authentication data from the new user device, wherein the authentication data comprises a user identity and user device identity of the new user device; and registering the user identity and user device identity of the new user device in the data stored in the network server, and associating the user identity and the user device identity of the new user device with the registered user identity in the data stored in the network server. 